High School Conservationist Intern

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Prescribed Fire Operations: Assist staff with prescribed burning activities. Tasks involve physical labor and direct exposure to outdoor conditions, smoke, and heat.
Recreation Area & Park Maintenance: Assist with opening, preparing, and maintaining public recreation areas. Duties include water system maintenance, shelter cleaning, painting, restroom sanitation, groundskeeping/mowing, and facility upkeep.
Habitat & Land Management: Assist with land stewardship and property development projects, such as tree planting, food plot establishment, fence construction, signage installation, and invasive species control.
Equipment Maintenance: Perform light maintenance on ICCB equipment and tools, including blade sharpening, oil changes, cleaning, and basic mechanical care.
Equipment Operation: Following proper safety orientation and dependent upon age, interest, and demonstrated ability, operate ICCB mowers, utility vehicles, trailers, and hand/power tools in a safe, responsible manner compliant with all applicable safety standards.
Administrative & Time Keeping: Responsible for maintaining accurate time sheets and submitting them to the Executive Director on a bi-weekly basis.
Policy Compliance: Adhere to all Iowa County personnel policies and ICCB procedures. Smoking or use of tobacco/nicotine products is strictly prohibited in all ICCB shop facilities, structures, and vehicles.
Educational & Event Assistance: As needed and based on interest/ability, assist the ICCB Naturalist with environmental education programs, public clinics, and community events.
Team Coordination: Maintain clear, ongoing communication with full-time staff to coordinate schedules and ensure daily tasks are completed efficiently.
General Support: Assist with other conservation, maintenance, or operational duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Required Abilities

Physical Requirements

Work Environment: Position involves substantial outdoor field work with exposure to varying weather conditions, dust, smoke, noise, heat, and seasonal temperature extremes.
Movement & Dexterity: Requires regular hand and finger dexterity to operate tools; full use of arms, torso, legs, and feet for walking uneven terrain, driving, and operating equipment.
Lifting & Physical Effort: Occasional moderate lifting (up to 25–50 lbs), carrying, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, and standing for extended periods.
Sensory Demands: Requires functional visual acuity (near/far vision, depth perception, field of view), hearing, and spatial awareness to maintain a safe working environment around equipment and field operations.

Skills & Knowledge

Mathematical Skills: Proficient in basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact professionally and politely with coworkers, park visitors, and members of the public.
Tool & Equipment Operation: Ability to learn and safely operate basic hand tools, power tools, light equipment, and maintenance machinery following orientation.
Computer & Administrative Literacy: Basic literacy to manage digital/paper timesheets and routine communications.

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